[Intro: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie]

The following excerpt comes from Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who is hailed as “the most prominent” of a “procession of critically acclaimed young anglophone authors”. The excerpt below comes from a lecture she gave at “TedxEuston”

Beyoncé was criticised by some for the perceived anti-feminist use of the word “bitches” on the initial release of “Bow Down/I Been On”. Conservative media pundit Rush Limbaugh, on the other hand, praised the track for what he interpreted was a message about submitting to one’s husband.

The inclusion of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s definition of feminism and summation of some contemporary feminist issues in the album’s reimagination of the track leaves no room for ambiguity about the message Beyoncé wants the convey to both women and her critics through her music.